Analysis of control valve opening prediction based on pipe heat transfer principle and Flowmaster simulation: a case study

The pressurizer operation mode poses a risk of damage to the spray valve of the pressurizer in pressurized water reactor nuclear power unit, which is a pneumatic control valve with a mechanical limit gear. In this research, we offer a logic limit approach with the DCS and a predictive analysis method for control valve opening based on the pipeline heat transfer principle and Flowmaster simulation, which is utilized to determine the required opening of the spray valve. The logic limiting scheme minimizes the technical risk, equipment danger, and radiation risk by preventing the possibility of mechanical limit gear damage and preventing maintenance personnel from accessing the reactor plant to access the spray valve during unit power operation.